Shoe insert for heeled shoes and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A shoe insert for heeled shoe has a rigid plate member. A cut is formed across at least a portion of a width of the rigid plate member to allow the rigid plate member to bend to conform to a shoe having a heel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/357,902 to Joseph A. DeRose filed on 23 Jun. 2010, which application is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a shoe insert and, more particularly, to a shoe insert that may be positioned in the sole of any heeled shoe to improve foot comfort and support of a person using the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, women's high heeled shoes are not designed with foot comfort and support as the primary object. The human foot consists primarily of the heel area, the arch or metatarsal bone area, and the toe area. In general, the main support areas of the foot are the heel area and the ball of the foot, or the forward ends of the metatarsal bones. The normal shoe sole is a relatively rigid surface, and pressure and friction of the support areas of the foot against this surface often causes discomfort and the development of calluses. At the same time, the normal shoe does not give adequate support to the arch of the foot, often giving rise to walking problems and sometimes resulting in collapsed arches. These problems are aggravated in high-heeled women's shoes, where the foot is urged forward into the toe box of the shoe in walking.

Shoe insert pads have been used in the past to alleviate some or all of these problems. The pads are either of the whole foot variety or designed for localized pressure areas of the foot, and are generally of a flexible cushioning material of some sort, e.g., foam. Full foot pads are shaped to conform to the contour of the shoe and thus will cushion the entire foot area. Pads of this type are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,084,264 of French and U.S. Pat. No. 897,920 of McIntyre.

In addition to pads or insoles designed simply to cushion the foot for the comfort of the shoe wearer, some shoe insert pads are specifically designed to correct or improve walking or posture of the shoe wearer. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,402 of Looney, for example, a supportive shoe insert pad is shaped to fit the sole of a shoe but has specific increased support areas in the region of the heel, arch and outer and inner toes of the wearer. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,293 of Single et al, an insole pad is cut back behind the big toe area to reduce the rolling of a person's foot towards the outside.

The above shoe insert pads have a problem when used with a heeled shoe. Pads or insoles designed simply to cushion the foot for the comfort of the shoe wearer do not provide any support thereby causing women wearing high heeled shoes to be unstable when walking. However, more supportive shoe insert pads are not adaptable to heeled shoes of different heights. The more supportive shoe insert pads are too rigid and thus are not able to bend and conformable to the angle of the sole of different heights of the heeled shoes.

Therefore, a need existed to provide a device and method to overcome the above problem. The device and method will provide shoe insert that may be positioned in the sole of any heeled shoe to improve foot comfort and support of a person using the shoe.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a shoe insert is disclosed. The shoe insert has a rigid plate member. A cut is formed across at least a portion of a width of the rigid plate member to allow the rigid plate member to bend to conform to a shoe having a heel.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a shoe insert is disclosed. The show insert has a rigid plate member. A cut is formed across at least a portion of a width of the rigid plate member to allow the rigid plate member to bend to conform to a shoe having a heel. The cut forms a heel plate and a front plate in the rigid plate member, wherein the heel plate is curved upward along an outer edge, and the front plate has inner and outer edges, the inner and outer edges of the front plate curved upward to conform to a metatarsal bone area of the foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the shoe insert of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 1 positioned in a heeled shoe;

FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 1 positioned in a another embodiment of a heeled shoe;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the shoe insert of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevated perspective view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 7 positioned in a heeled shoe; and

FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective view of the shoe insert shown in FIG. 7 positioned in a another embodiment of a heeled shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, a shoe insert 10 is shown. The shoe insert 10 may be positioned in the sole of any heeled shoe to improve foot comfort and support of a person using the shoe. The shoe insert 10 is designed so that no matter the height of the heel of a shoe, the shoe insert 10 may be used and provide improved foot comfort and support of a person using the shoe. While the shoe insert 10 is disclosed in relation to a heeled shoe, it should be noted that the shoe insert 10 may be used in any shoe which may have a need for flexibility such as a ballet shoe or the like.

The shoe insert 10 may be a single unit design. A divide 12 may be formed in the shoe insert 10. The divide 12 may be a cut across a width W of the shoe insert 10. The divide 12 allows the shoe insert 10 to bend at various angles as shown more clearly in FIGS. 3-5. This allows the show insert 10 to conform to any shoe 20 regardless of a height of a heel 22 on the shoe 20.

The divide 12 forms a heel section 14 and a front section 16. In the present embodiment, the heel section 14 may be semi-oval in shape. However, this is given as one example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The heel section may be curved upward along an outer edge 14A. The outer edge 14A is curved to conform to the heel of a person's foot. By conforming to the heel area of the foot, the heel section 14 provides stability to the foot and prevents the foot from wobbling within the shoe 20 when walking.

The front section 16 may come in various shapes. In the present embodiment, the front section 16 is fairly rectangular in shape. The front section 16 is formed to conform to the metatarsal bone area of the foot. The inner and outer edges 16A and 18B respectively of the front section 16 may be curved upward to conform to the metatarsal bone area of the foot. The inner edge 16A may have a slightly higher curve to better conform to the arch of a person's foot. By conforming to the metatarsal bone area of the foot, the front section 16 provides stability to the foot and prevents the foot from wobbling within the shoe 20 when walking.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, the shoe insert 10 may have a rigid plate member 24. The rigid plate member 24 may be formed of plastic, carbon fiber, or other lightweight but sturdy material. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The rigid plate member 24 may have the divide 12 cut across a width W of the rigid plate member 24. The divide 12 allows the shoe insert 10 to bend at various angles thereby allowing the show insert 10 to bend and conform to any angle of shoe sole regardless of a height of a heel 22 (FIGS. 4 and 5) on the shoe 20 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In accordance with the present embodiment, the divide 12 may be formed by a cut across a width W of the rigid plate member 24 wherein the cut is formed partially through a thickness of the rigid plate member 24 to allow the show insert to bend.

The divide 12 forms a heel plate 24A and a front plate 24B. The heel plate 24A may be curved upward along an outer edge 26. The outer edge 26 is curved to conform to the heel of a person's foot.

The front plate 24B may have inner and outer edges 30 and 32 respectively. The inner and outer edges 30 and 32 may be curved upward to conform to the metatarsal bone area of the foot. The inner edge 30 may have a slightly higher curve to better conform to the arch of a person's foot.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a padded layer 34 may be positioned on a top surface of the heel plate 24A. The padded layer 34 may provide cushioning for the heel of the person's foot. While not shown, the padded layer 34 may also be positioned on a top surface of the front plate 24B. The padded layer 34 may be a cushioned form/rubber material or the like. The listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. Since the heel is one of the main support areas of the foot, the padded layer will provide extra comfort to the user of the shoe insert 10.

A bottom cover 36 may be positioned on a bottom surface of the rigid plate member 24. The bottom cover 36 may be used for several purposes. First, the bottom cover may be used to hold the heel plate 24A and a front plate 24B in position. Since the divide 12 may be formed completely through the rigid plate member 24, the bottom cover may be used to hold the heel plate 24A and a front plate 24B together but still allow the front plate 24B to bend at different angles from the heel plate 24A. In accordance with one embodiment, the bottom cover 36 may be formed on a slip resistant material. Thus, the bottom cover may be used to prevent the shoe insert 10 from moving/sliding in the shoe 20. The bottom cover 36 may be formed of vinyl, leather, cloth or other materials. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

A top cover 38 may be positioned over a top surface of the rigid plate member 24. The top cover 38 may be positioned over the padded layer 34 and any exposed areas of the rigid plate member 24. The top cover 38 is generally used to cover the rigid plate member 24 and provide comfort to the user of the shoe insert 10. The top cover 36 may be a textured top surface. The textured top surface may help to prevent a foot from moving. The top cover may be formed of vinyl, leather, cloth or other materials. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

In use, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shoe insert 10 is positioned in an interior of the shoe 20. The heel section 14 is positioned so that a back edge 14C of the heel section 14 touches a back edge of the interior of the shoe 20. The front section 16 is then pressed down in the interior of the shoe 20. The divide 12 allows the shoe insert 10 to bend and conform to the interior sole of the shoe 20 regardless of a height of a heel 22 on the shoe 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, another embodiment of the rigid plate member 24′ is shown. The rigid plate member 24′ may be formed of plastic, carbon fiber, or other lightweight but sturdy material. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The rigid plate member 24′ may have a pair of cuts 40 formed in corresponding side surfaces of the plate member 24′. The cuts may be formed so that the cuts 40 are aligned. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, the cuts 40 may be formed completely through the plate member 24′. The cuts 40 may be formed so that a solid piece 42 remains between the cuts 40′. The cuts 40 allows the shoe insert 10 to bend at various angles as shown more clearly in FIGS. 8-9. This allows the show insert 10′ to conform to any shoe 20 regardless of a height of a heel 22 on the shoe 20.

The cuts 40 forms a heel plate 24A and a front plate 24B. The heel plate 24A may be curved upward along an outer edge 26. The outer edge 26 is curved to conform to the heel of a person's foot.

The front plate 24B may have inner and outer edges 30 and 32 respectively. The inner and outer edges 30 and 32 may be curved upward to conform to the metatarsal bone area of the foot. The inner edge 30 may have a slightly higher curve to better conform to the arch of a person's foot.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. A shoe insert for heeled shoe comprising: a rigid plate member; and a cut formed across at least a portion of a width of the rigid plate member to allow the rigid plate member to bend to conform to a shoe having a heel.
 2. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cut is a channel formed across a width of the rigid plate member.
 3. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cut is a channel formed across a width of the rigid plate member, the channel formed partially though a thickness of the rigid plate member.
 4. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cut is a pair of cuts formed on each side of the rigid plate member.
 5. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cut is a pair of cuts formed through and on each side of the rigid plate member, the pair of cuts being aligned.
 6. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cut is a pair of cuts formed through and on each side of the rigid plate member, the pair of cuts being aligned, a solid member of the rigid plate member positioned between the pair of cuts.
 7. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cut forms a heel plate and a front plate in the rigid plate member, wherein the heel plate is curved upward along an outer edge.
 8. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 7, wherein the front plate has inner and outer edges, the inner and outer edges of the front plate curved upward to conform to a metatarsal bone area of the foot.
 9. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 8, wherein the inner edge of the front plate is curved to conform to an arch of the foot.
 10. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a padded layer positioned on a top surface of the rigid plate member.
 11. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a padded layer positioned on a top surface of the rigid plate member where a heel of foot is positioned.
 12. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a top cover positioned over a top surface of the rigid plate member.
 13. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a top cover positioned over exposed areas of the top surface of the rigid plate member and the padded layer.
 14. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a bottom cover positioned on a bottom surface of the rigid plate member.
 15. A shoe insert for heeled shoe comprising: a rigid plate member; a cut formed across at least a portion of a width of the rigid plate member to allow the rigid plate member to bend to conform to a shoe having a heel, wherein the cut forms a heel plate and a front plate in the rigid plate member, wherein the heel plate is curved upward along an outer edge, and wherein the front plate has inner and outer edges, the inner and outer edges of the front plate curved upward to conform to a metatarsal bone area of the foot.
 16. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 15, wherein the cut is a channel formed across a width of the rigid plate member.
 17. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 15, wherein the cut is a channel formed across a width of the rigid plate member, the channel formed partially though a thickness of the rigid plate member.
 18. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 15, wherein the cut is a pair of cuts formed through and on each side of the rigid plate member, the pair of cuts being aligned.
 19. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 15, wherein the cut is a pair of cuts formed through and on each side of the rigid plate member, the pair of cuts being aligned, a solid member of the rigid plate member positioned between the pair of cuts.
 20. A shoe insert for a heeled shoe in accordance with claim 15, wherein the inner edge of the front plate is curved to conform to an arch of the foot. 